The Disappearance of Robert Wayne Connor

Name: Robert Wayne Connor
Age: 62 years old
Last Seen: July 18, 2003
Location: Claremont, North Carolina
Status: Still missing

Case Information

62 year old Robert Wayne Connor was last seen at the Boxcar Grille restaurant in Claremont, North Carolina on July 18, 2003. He was reported missing by his daughter six days later.

Background

At the time of his disappearance, Robert Connor lived alone on his 20 acre property near U.S. 70 East in Claremont, North Carolina.

Known as a dependable person, friends and family say it’s unlike him to go missing or not call someone back.

Disappearance

On the evening of July 18, 2003, Robert Wayne Connor was last seen sitting at the bar of the Boxcar Grille restaurant, located on North Oxford Street in Claremont, North Carolina.

On July 24, 2003, his daughter reported him missing to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office after she was unable to get in touch with him.

Investigation

Robert’s vehicle and his beloved Dashshund dog Rusty were found left behind at his home, located in the 4100 block of Highway 70 in Claremont, North Carolina. His truck was parked in an unusual spot, and his dog was frantic and hungry. 

His daughter found uncollected mail in his mailbox, and fourteen messages on his answering machine. Robert’s .357 magnum gun, which was normally kept under his couch, was missing.

His daughter says the scene at her father’s home made her feel uneasy. “This is totally out of character. I think there is foul play. If somebody was going to do some harm to him, that (creek) would be a good location to put him,” she told the Hickory Daily Record in 2003.

The creek she was referring to is Lyle Creek, which was searched back in 2003, along with Connor Park and the area surrounding his home. No clues to his whereabouts were found.

In 2006 authorities received a tip which led them to search a pond off of Bunker Hill School Road in Claremont, about 3 miles away from Robert’s house. The search was unsuccessful.

In 2006 detectives interviewed John Franklin Dickson, the last known person to have been with Robert before his disappearance, however the interview turned up no new leads.

Whereabouts

The location of Robert Wayne Connor, as well as the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, remains unknown.

Although no concrete evidence of a crime was found at his home, foul play has not been ruled out in his disappearance. Robert’s case remains unsolved.

Appearance

White male with black/grey balding hair. Robert stands 6’0 tall, weights 210 pounds, and had a full beard at the time of his disappearance.

Robert usually wears a white t-shirt, bib overalls, and a cap. He’s known to wear a gold chain necklace with a gold nugget, as well as a Timex or Citizen brand silver watch.

Investigating Agency

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Robert Wayne Connor please contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 465-8301.

Resources & Further Information

Robert Wayne Connor – NamUS
Robert Wayne Connor – The Charley Project

Media Links

16 Years Ago, A Man And His Pistol Went Missing in Claremont – Hickory Record